What lasting effects can shaken baby syndrome have on a baby?
When a baby is shaken hard by the shoulders, arms, or legs, it can cause learning disabilities, behavior disorders, vision problems or blindness, hearing and speech issues, seizures, cerebral palsy, serious brain injury, and permanent disability. In some cases, it can be fatal.
Can shaken baby syndrome go unnoticed for years?
Symptoms of SBS may not be noticeable… In fact, many of its signs and symptoms are not exclusive to SBS. They can go undetected or be confused with those of other health problems, such as minor falls, regurgitations, crying spells, or irritability.
How do I know if my baby has brain damage?
Immediate Infant Brain Damage Symptoms
- Small head or skull.
- Large forehead.
- Malformed spine.
- Stiffness in the neck.
- Unusual or distorted facial features.
- Abnormal eye movement.
- Seizures.
- Excessive crying.
What happens if I accidentally shook my baby?
Violently shaking an infant can cause the brain to move within the skull, resulting in cerebral contusions (bruising of brain tissue) and shearing (tearing) of blood vessels.
How do I know if my baby has been shaken?
Shaken baby syndrome symptoms and signs include:
- Extreme fussiness or irritability.
- Difficulty staying awake.
- Breathing problems.
- Poor eating.
- Vomiting.
- Pale or bluish skin.
- Seizures.
- Paralysis.
Can spinning cause shaken baby syndrome?
Can bouncing cause shaken baby syndrome? No. Young infants should have their head supported at all times and caregivers should avoid jostling them or throwing them in the air, but gentle bouncing, swinging or rocking won’t cause shaken baby syndrome.
Can ultrasound detect brain damage in baby?
Neonatal Ultrasound Neonatal cranial ultrasound is considered the gold-standard screening method for neonatal brain injury, for the detection of major or significant abnormalities of the brain, most notably severe IVH or cystic periventricular leukomalacia in the preterm infant.
Can you get shaken baby from bouncing?
Sometimes people worry that SBS can be caused by activities such as bouncing babies on knees or laps, throwing them in the air and catching them, or riding on bicycles. While some of these activities might be dangerous, they do not cause SBS-type injuries.
Can bouncing baby cause shaken baby syndrome?
Playful interaction with an infant, such as bouncing the baby on the lap or tossing the baby up in the air, won’t cause the injuries associated with shaken baby syndrome. Instead, these injuries often happen when someone shakes the baby out of frustration or anger. You should never shake a baby under any circumstances.
What are the effects of shaken baby syndrome on children?
A child who has suffered from Shaken Baby Syndrome may also be more susceptible to learning disabilities and behavior problems, as well as seizures and paralysis.
What happens if you shake a baby too much?
Even brief shaking of an infant can cause irreversible brain damage. Many children affected by shaken baby syndrome die. Survivors of shaken baby syndrome may require lifelong medical care for conditions such as: Partial or total blindness. Developmental delays, learning problems or behavior issues.
How do you know if your baby has been shaken?
There are often no clear physical signs that a baby has been shaken, which means that many cases of Shaken Baby Syndrome are likely to go unreported or undiagnosed. In turn, this can make it harder for a parent to understand why their child has the difficulties that they have.
What happens when a baby is shaken with force?
Shaken baby syndrome is a serious brain injury that happens to a baby or young child when it’s shaken with force. The impact kills the baby’s brain cells and keeps oxygen from getting to their brain. Shaken baby syndrome is a form of child abuse.